Healing with Music

Adrienne Trier-Bieniek (Ph.D. '11, Sociology) is using her degree to propel her dream of being a published author and college professor. She has recently published her first book, titled “Sing Us a Song, Piano Woman: Female Fans and the Music of Tori Amos,” which has been on the shelves for approximately seven months.

Her book talks about the impact that music can have on people; in particular, people who have experienced trauma in their lives. Trier-Bieniek attended Virginia Tech in 2007 while obtaining her Master’s degree in Women’s Studies and the book chronicles her healing process after experiencing the tragic shooting on the Virginia Tech campus in April 2007. The success of her book has garnered the attention of many university campuses who have asked her to speak about the healing abilities of music; but universities aren’t the only ones interested in a chance to speak with her.

“I have been interviewed for NPR-WGVU, the Orlando Sentinel and by a UK magazine called The Word,” Trier-Bieniek said.

While she has attended other universities, Trier-Bieniek has formed a soft spot for the Brown and Gold, citing it as a major role for her success.

“I am so very proud of this work, mainly because the research happened under the tutelage of some great advisors in the sociology department; particularly Dr. Angela Moe,” Trier-Bieniek said. “I feel like the research training I got at WMU was in-depth and extremely educational. I am not sure if I would have been confident enough to publish a book if I didn’t have the background WMU gave me."

Trier-Bieniek has recently released her second book and is contracted for an additional two books. She is currently talking about developing a textbook on marriage and family courses.

For more information on her book, please visit Scarecrow Press by clicking here. Posted by Stan Sulewski